The holiday season is right around the corner, and that means that our pets will need extra care. For some, it’s as easy as packing up your small dog in the handbag that you traveled in. For others, it may take the whole back section of an SUV. Nevertheless, our precious fur babies need to be there with us on these special days. Here are some ideas to make your pets feel comfortable during the holidays:
1. Create a Safe Space
If you have a huge family or even other dogs around, there should be an open play area for the animals. With plenty of hot plates, sharp objects and foot traffic all making troubles in the area, our furry friends can sometimes get in the way and make the situation even more chaotic.
Give the animals a safe area and let them have a break while everyone sits down to eat. At some point, you can even go over and give them a treat.
2. Set Up Holiday Pictures
Pets aren’t exactly the steadiest ones, but they sure are cute! There’s nothing better than turning your Golden Retriever into a lion or your pug into a Jabba the Hutt.
Since we feed and bathe them, it’s only right that they let us dress them as a turkey or Santa for five minutes. It’s worth a memory of a lifetime- or as we tell them, a treat.
3. Get a Dog Sitter
It’s going to sound like the end of the world, but the animals can use a break from us humans too. You never know if there’s another family member with an extra seat at (or under) the table, or someone that isn’t necessarily celebrating the holiday.
Whatever the case is, someone would be gladly willing to accept your furry friend.
Please be advised, if you’re going to leave your dog with an overnight stay (in-house, retail, personal watcher) be sure to conduct a thorough background check. You always want to make sure your pet is under the best care, so make sure that person/business is a dependable one.
4. Everyone, Let’s Get Along (Depends What Size Dogs You Have)
This is always a lot easier said than done, considering some dogs are larger than others. Some people like feeding their furry friends under the table more than others, so the occasional dog or two is simply fine to mix with the family. Then again, it also depends on how much space you have. It’s always the smallest dogs making the most noise, but the bigger dogs certainly take up the most space.
5. Location, Location, Location
It’s not a bad idea to talk with friends and family before the holidays to decide who has the best house to accommodate ALL our family members, four-legged included! It’s best to have the gathering at the house with the biggest yard especially when every family might have one or two dogs. I love being outside so for my family I would be outside with the dogs!
Enjoy all your holidays. Feel free to share your pictures of your pets!